Golden Fronted Leafbird

[Roopak Gangadharan]

Even I thought this female Golden fronted leafbird was going after the spider, but it kept flying into the web with its beak open, came back keeping the beak still open and rubbed it against the stem and then the wings, it took me a moment to realise it was collecting the spider web as nesting material. It was joining the multiple strands glued to the open beak and wings, after flying into the web, to gather to form a thicker strand or mass to carry it to the nest. It is common knowledge that birds use spider webs for reinforcing and as cementing materials in building nests but it is not often that one gets to see how they collect it. This bird made 3 trips in total and could have easily picked the spider as well and spiders are high on the menu of leaf birds. But it didn’t touch it.

The complex array of relationships, interactions and synergies in nature are well beyond the comprehension of the human race. Every time a species is lost we lose not only a magnificent form of life but along with it go some original and awe inspiring examples of balance and interdependence. we cannot comprehend and might never be able to imagine how the loss of one will affect the other species in a habitat or the habitat itself.

500D, 55-250, 250mm, AE F5.6, ISO 800 SS1/200. Cropped image

Rgds
Roopak

[Mrudul Godbole]

Very rare behavior captured. Totally agree, we are not aware of these small dependencies and feel that species is not of any use. Nice composition and good eye contact. The open beak and the web nicely documented. Thanks for sharing the detailed information.

[Shyamala Kumar]

Unique behavior beautifully captured.Agree with you we cannot begin to fathom the delicate balance on which nature is poised and how easily this can be disturbed to the detriment of all life on earth.

[Rajan Kanagasabai]

Wow, good new learning. Loved the open beak pose and the great details around the web

thanks for sharing

Rajan